Metropolitan Planning Council
CMAP staff have released their recommendation that the Illiana Expressway not be included in GO TO 2040.
This morning, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) released a staff recommendation to oppose the addition of the Illiana tollroad to the GO TO 2040 regional transportation plan. This recommendation affirms Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC)'s opposition to the project announced earlier this month.
CMAP's analysis demonstrates that the Illiana has limited economic development potential, will do almost nothing to reduce congestion and will require a public contribution of $440 million to upwards of $1 billion, in addition to the funds raised through tolls. The location of the proposed highway will not effectively serve the region's existing and proposed freight and intermodal facilities. At such a high cost, the region must prioritize—and there is clear evidence that the Illiana would not address Chicagoland's most important growth or transportation concerns.
MPC conducted an in-depth review of the proposed Illiana project, and MPC's board endorsed the staff recommendation to oppose the project's addition to GO TO 2040. In September, MPC released its extensive documentation demonstrating its conclusion that the Illiana will do very little to reduce regional congestion, produce few jobs and result in little economic growth. In other words, it will provide few benefits at a high and uncertain cost.
As CMAP staff write, "Because the region has only limited dollars to spend on transportation, GO TO 2040 requires a commitment to the paramount importance of prioritizing the projects with the greatest benefits." The Illiana does not fit the bill.
CMAP's board is expected to vote on the Illiana project on Wednesday, October 9, 2013. The MPO Policy Committee, which will ultimately determine whether to add the Illiana to GO TO 2040, will vote on the project on Thursday, October 17, 2013.
Read more about MPC's work on the Illiana at metroplanning.org/illiana